Thursday, May 19, 2011

World News Briefs -- May 19, 2011



Dominique Strauss-Kahn Resigns As Head Of International Monetary Fund -- The Telegraph

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund, four days after being charged with the sexual attack of a Manhattan hotel chambermaid.

In a statement released by the Fund in the early hours of Thursday morning, Mr Strauss-Kahn said he needed to "devote all my strength, all my time, and all my energy to proving my innocence".

The 62-year-old Frenchman has been under intense pressure since being arrested in the First Class cabin of on an Air France jet on the tarmac of John F. Kennedy airport on Saturday afternoon.

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MIDDLE EAST

Obama imposes sanctions on Syrian leader, 6 aides.

Iraq bombing kills at least 25 police officers, firefighters.

Last British troops slated to leave Iraq.

US quietly expanding defense ties with Saudis.

Yemen crisis deal collapses despite U.S. pressure.

Obama faces pressure from allies on eve of speech Thursday on Middle East policy.

ASIA

Afghan road workers killed in Taliban ambush.

Satellite images reveal alarming speed Pakistan is rushing to finish weapons-grade nuclear reactor.

Gates: No evidence 'yet' about who in Pakistan knew bin Laden was there.

A year on, mystery shrouds Thailand's deadly unrest.

AFRICA

UN says Libya is a 'ticking time bomb'. Libya: Col Gaddafi's wife and daughter 'flee Libya'.

Amnesty: Egypt far from justice over unrest that killed more than 800. Egypt shifts to military justice for civilians in post-Mubarak era.

Obama to offer debt relief to Egypt in Mideast speech.

Somalia: Ruination.

EUROPE

Why Russia's Medvedev and Putin remain coy about presidential aims.

Top economist at European Central Bank blames Greek debt problems on 'vested interests' in Britain.

IMF tells Greece to stop dragging its heels over reform.

Ukraine seeks talks with Romania, U.S. on missile shield.

Analysis: Russia tries to reel in crisis-hit Belarus leader. Economist says Belarus in phase of uncontrolled economic downturn.

Why Estonia may be Europe's model country.

AMERICAS

Canada: Stephen Harper unveils cabinet.

Guatemalan forces hunt killers after farm massacre.

Clinton aims to improve ties with Latin America.

Uruguay's congress takes aim at military amnesty.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Terror 'franchises' pose huge post-Bin Laden risk.

Guantánamo prisoner dies in apparent suicide.

Al-Qaida releases posthumous bin Laden audio. Osama bin Laden tape praises Arab Spring uprisings.

Could al-Qaida launch attacks on U.S. from Yemen?

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Iran sets stage for tense Opec meeting.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn's replacement at IMF should be non-European, says South Africa finance minister Pravin Gordhan.Strauss-Kahn case: Europe backs EU candidate for IMF.

Japan slides into recession. Disasters send Japanese economy into recession.

Microsoft's Bill Gates says he advocated Skype takeover.

Playboy puts entire 57 years of magazines online.

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